Egg carton



y 24, 1956 R. F. REIFERS 2,755,984

EGG CARTON Filed April 29. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 m l Z5 /9 3 5 bfickarciifiefe/a INVEN TOR.

R. F. REIFERS July 24, 1956 EGG CARTON Filed April 29. 1952 3Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrox .EC/Zdid F Haifa/1'5,

y 24, 1956 R. F. REIFERS 2,755,984

EGG CARTON Filed April 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 w 49 Z0 Z6 7 45 47INVENTPR.

.Ew/zardf/Eezfzra United States Patent EGG CARTON Richard F. Reifers,Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Diamond MatchCompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April29, 1952, Serial No. 284,981

7 Claims. (Cl. 229-28) The present invention relates to improvements ina cellular paperboard egg carton which render the same stronger and morerigid to resist load or impact, and at the same time provide greaterroom for eggs in the carton cells.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide animproved paperboard egg carton which when closed has novel creasedformations along the outer side margins to improve its appearance, feeland egg cushioning ability, increase the space in its egg receivingcells, and in general to augment the protection which it affords eggs inshipment or handling.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improvedpaperboard egg carton which is rendered more attractive in appearanceand more comfortable to the users feel in grasping the same by a line orseries of creased, diamond-shaped formations or scallops extending alongthe opposite side margins of its top and/ or bottom, which formationsincrease the strength and column rigidity of the side walls, top andbottom of the carton, and augment the egg receiving capacity of itscells.

A further object is to provide a cellular paperboard carton of the typeshown in Troyk Patent No. 1,783,397, in which a series of diamond-shapedformations or scallops are defined by a special creasing of the cartonalong the side edges of its bottom, or all four edges,-thediamond-shaped formations having the effect of causing the adjacentwalls and cover surface of the carton to bulge outwardly in anundulatory outline at the wide portions of the diamonds, thus not onlyincreasing the egg room in the carton cells but also stiffening andn'gidifying the carton by the column action of the undulatory bulges,and imparting an improved cushion effect to the carton when loaded withother cartons in a thirty dozen case.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general way of the natureof the invention. Other and more specific objects will be apparent tothose skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the constructionand operation of the device.

A single embodiment of the invention is presented herein for purpose ofillustration. It will be appreciated that the invention may beincorporated in other modified forms coming equally within the scope ofthe appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank employed in fabricating theimproved carton, illustrating the manner in which the blank is died out,slitted, slotted and creased;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1, inthe flat, knocked-down condition of the carton;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the completed and erected carton, in theclosed condition thereof, showing the undulatory bulging result of theforming of the edges of its cover in the manner referred to;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the closed carton, showing the similareffect of the bottom side edge formations;

Patented July 24, 1956 ice Fig. 5 is a view of the improved carton infront elevation; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are, respectively, views in vertical transverse sectionalong lines 6-6 and 7--7, respectively, of Fig. 5 further illustratingstructural details of the improved carton and the novel manner in whichthe characteristic diamond corner formations or scallops thereofincreasing egg room in the cells of the carton interior.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, the flexible paperboard blank 10employed in constructing the improved carrier is of generallyrectangular outline. It is intended for the manufacture of a divisiblestyle egg carton, i. e., one which may be separated into two equalhalves of six egg capacity each, being provided with a transversely eX-tending line of perforations 10' at its midpoint for this purpose.Proceeding from top to bottom, as viewed in Fig. 1, the blank 10 is cutand creased to provide a terminal locking flap 11 which is provided, oneither side of perforated line 10, with sets of oppositely orientedlocking tongues 12 along a margin thereof. Flap 11 is hingedlyarticulated to a rectangular carton cover panel 13 by means of aspecially shaped, longitudinally extending crease formation 14, with theparticular details of which the present invention primarily deals. Thenature of these crease features will be hereinafter enlarged on,together with their function and advantages.

Cover panel 13 is hingedly connected by a special crease formation 15,corresponding in all respects to crease- 14, to a rear wall panel 16,and the last named panel is in turn connected by a further specialcrease formation 17 to a longitudinal partition and bottom formingpanel, generally designated by the reference numeral 18. Panel 18 issubdivided by a medial, longitudinally extending crease 19 into two likesections 20, which are provided with sets of cross partition receivingslots of different shape. The slots of one of these sets, designated 21,are arranged in a keyhole shape and are located adjacent the oppositeends of the respective panel sections 20. Slots 22 of another type,larger and parallel-sided in shape are disposed in intermediate positionin sections 20, while a third series of centrally enlarged slots 23 arearranged in longitudinally spaced relation along the medial crease 19.The functions of these slots will be hereinafter pointed out. Bottom andlongitudinal partition forming panel 18 is also provided with eggcushioning slits 24of a well known type, disposed in longitudinallyspaced relation along the respective panel sections 20 Panel 18 isconnected by specially shaped crease formation 25, similar in shape andfunction to crease 17, to a front wall panel 26, and the latter is inturn hinged to a cross partition panel which is generally designated 27.Finally, a glue lap 28 is hinged to the opposite margin of the panel 27.

Panel 27 comprises two oppositely oriented sets of cross partitions 29,one set on either side of medial perforation 10'. The endmost partitionsof these sets project outwardly of the line of the end margins of panels13, 16, 18 and 26, and the cross partitions which are located within theminimal side-to-side dimension of the blank are separated bylongitudinally spaced longitudinally extending slits 30 from front wallpanel 26, and from glue lap 28 by similar slits 31. Successive crosspartitions 29 on opposite sides of the medial crease 11 are separatedfrom one another by shaped slits 32 which act in conjunction with aseries of apertures 33 along a medial fold line 34 of panel 27 to definelocking hooks 35 on the inner margins of cross partitions 29.

Triangular web areas 36, 37 are arranged in longitudinally spacedrelation along the hinge line of panel 27 to front wall panel 26 andglue lap 28, respectively. These webs serve in well knownfashion asmembers hinging the cross partitions to the panels referred to, beingprovidedwith short, transversely extending creases 38 and short,longitudinally extending creases 39 for this purpose. These features arewell known and further descriptivedetails are unnecessary.

The respective sets of cross partitions 29, four to each set, areseparated from one another adjacent the mid point of the blank by atransversely extending slit 40 which extends between a pair ofrelatively large, specially shaped apertures 41 and is aligned with themedial perforation It is to be understood that when the carton iserected to operative position cross partitions 29 of the respective setsare foldable downwardly in opposite directions about the respectivetransverse partition hinge creases 38, after which the cross partitionsare interengaged with the apertures 21,22 and 23 of longitudinalpartition and bottom forming panel 18. Cross partition hooks 35 thenserve to lock the parts and to support the bottom in its intended,inverted V-shaped outline (see Figs. 6 and 7).

The special crease formations 14, 15, 17 and which hinge the variouspanels of the carton to one another at the parallel upper side edges ofits cover and the parallel. lower side edges of its cellular bottomsection contribute materially to a substantially increased strength andrigidity of the completed and erected carton, and also to an augmentedegg receiving space in the individual cells of the latter. Theformations are, in each instance, of a repeated diamond-shaped outline,constituted by zig zag creases of relatively shallow depth, transverselyof the blank, i, e., in the direction of medial perforation 10. Creaseapices 45 and points of intersection 46 alternate to form ascallop-like, undulatory succession of diamonds, designated 47, alongthe length of the respective hinge formations 14, 15, 17 and 25, andapices 45 coincide with the centers of the cells defined by crosspartitions 29.

In the case of the divisible carton chosen for purpose of illustration,the crease formations have central, relatively elongated rectilinearportions 48 intersecting the transverse line of perforation 10',bridging the non-cellular central zone of intended subdivision of thecarton. In a non-divisible style carton, the diamond formations 47repeat uniformly in uniform spacing along the entire length of therespective creases.

In completing the egg carton from the blank 10 of Fig. l, the latter isfolded about the longitudinally extending, medial crease 34 of the crosspartition panel-27, bringing its two halves into superposed relation toone another. Adhesive is now applied to the upwardly exposed surface ofthe glue lap 28, 'whereuponthe thus folded and glued blank is againfolded about the longitudinally extending, medial crease 119 of bottom.and longitudinal partition section 18. The glue lap is adhered to the:rear wall panel 16, .in side-by-side, depending relation to that wallalong a zone paralleling and lying just underneath the undulatory hingecrease formation 15. This leaves the blank in a completed, knockeddown,flat condition illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It is erected toits operative, egg receiving position, illustrated in Figs. 3-7 of thedrawings, preferably by means of automatic carton setup apparatus of "aknown type, in an operation involving the spreading of front and rearwalls 26, 16 and the two other panels 18, 27 to a generally rectangularoutline, the swinging of the cross partitions 29 about the hinge creases38 of triangular connecting webs36 into parallel relation to oneanother, in which they extend at a right angle to the various panelsreferred to, and the shaping of the bottom and longitudinal partitionpanel 18 to an inverted V -outline, during which the-ThOOks 35 of thevarious cross. partitions 29 are lockingly interengaged with therespective apertures '21, 22 and 23 of panel sections-20. Cover 13 isclosed by swinging the same aboutthe crease formation 15 and engagingthe tongues of the locking flap 11 with the crossrpartition corner webs37 Whenthe ca-rtonis completed and closed as'described, it exhibits adistinctive scalloped corner construction along its upper and lowerlongitudinal side edges, and the effect of this construction is carriedinto the adjoining cover, front and rear side walls and bottom. Thediamond formations 47, lying in transverse alignment with the centers ofthe successive longitudinally arranged egg cells, cause cover 13 to bowor bulge upwardly at these medial cell areas and along its outerlongitudinal edges, as illustrated particularly'in Figs. 3, 5 and 7, thebulges being designated 50. An undulatory outline along the cover edgeis distinctly perceptible. By the same token, the formations 47 at theupper and lower edges of the carton side walls 16, 26 have the sameeffect of outwardly bowing or bulging those walls in the transversezones of the cell centers, the bulges in this instance being designated51.

The undulations referred to increase the individual volumes of the eggcells, and any increase in this respect represents an advantage ofsubstantial importance. However, equally important, and in addition toaugmenting cell volume, the diamond scallop formations 47 materiallyrigidity the walls 16, 26 of the carton by imparting an undulatoryoutline thereto, thrusting the walls outwardly at the cell centers. Aseries of longitudinally spaced, pillar-like columns of noticeabletransverse depth extend vertically across the full height of the closedcarton. Substantially increased carton strength results from this sortof corrugating or ribbing the side Walls of the carton.

Furthermore, the bending which occurs at the respective scalloped hingesis less acute than is the case with a plain rectilinear crease. Thismeans that there is less disturbance of the paperboard fibers inbending, and less loss of strength upon repeated bending. Moreover, allof these advantages are obtained without any increase in the dimensionsof the blank 10 for a carton of a given over-all size when completed.

It has also been found that closure of the car-ton cover is facilitatedby the bulge effect on the front side wall. Moreover, the scalloped,undulatory edge configuration affords a softer and more agreeable feelin handling than is found in conventionalcartons having straight linecorner edge formations.

In many cases the diamond shaping of the hinge creases of the cartonpanels may be confined to the lower edge of the carton. Also the shapeof the engaged sections may vary from that shown. Advantagescorresponding to those described above are still imparted to the carton.Matters of selection such as this are contemplated to be included withinthe scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a cellular paperboard carton construction having adjoining panelsangularly connected to one another by a straight, longitudinallyextending creased hinge zone about which the panels are bent, and crosspartition members disposed normal to said panels and coacting therewithto define a series of longitudinally spaced cells, the improvementcomprising a series of longitudinally spaced crease formationsconstituting said hinge zone, said crease formations including pairs ofshaped portions which are outwardly convex in relation to thelongitudinal center line of .said hinge zone and which extend oppositelyof said center line into said respective panels with the respectiveoppositely extending shaped portions being in general transversealignment, said crease formations being arranged in a longitudinallyextending straight line and in close succession was to localize bendingof said panels about said center line as an axis, and the centers of therespective crease formations being in approximate alignment with thecenters of the .cells in the direction transversely of the cartonwhereby said panels are buckled outwardly atsaid centers adjacent saidhingezone.

2. Ina cellular paperboard carton construction having adjoining panelsangularly connected to one another by a longitudinally extending creasedhinge zone about which the panels are bent, .and cross partition membersdisposed normal to said panels and coacting therewith to. define aseries of longitudinally spaced cells, the improvement comprising aseries of longitudinally spaced crease formations constituting saidhinge zone, said crease formations including shaped portions which areoutwardly convex in relation to the'longitudinal center line of saidhinge zone and which extend oppositely of said center line into saidrespective panels, the respective oppositely extending shaped portionsbeing in general transverse alignment and in generally symmetricrelation to one another about said center line as an axis, said creaseformations being arranged in a longitudinally extending straight lineand in close succession so as to localize bending of said panels aboutsaid center line as an axis, and the centers of the respective creaseformations being in approximate transverse alignment with the centers ofthe cells in the direction transversely of the carton whereby saidpanels are buckled outwardly at said centers adjacent said hinge zone.

3. In a cellular paperboard carton construction having adjoining panelsangularly connected to one another by a longitudinally extending creasedhinge zone about which the panels are bent, and partition membersdisposed normal to said panels and coacting therewith to define a seriesof longitudinally spaced cells, the improvement comprising a series oflongitudinally spaced crease formations and aligned crease portionslongitudinally connecting the same to constitute said hinge zone, saidcrease formations including pairs of obtusely angled crease portionswhich are outwardly convex in relation to the longitudinal center lineof said hinge zone and which extend on opposite sides of said centerline and into said respective panels, the respective oppositelyextending parts of said angled crease portions being in generaltransverse alignment, and the centers of the respective creaseformations being in approximate alignment with the centers of the cellsin the direction transversely of the carton whereby said panels arebuckled outwardly at said centers adjacent said hinge zone.

4. In a cellular paperboard carton construction having adjoining panelsangularly connected to one another by a longitudinally extending creasedhinge zone about which the panels are bent, and partition membersdisposed normal to said panels and coacting therewith to define a seriesof longitudinally spaced cells, the improvement comprising a series oflongitudinally spaced crease formations and aligned crease portionslongitudinally connecting the same to constitute said hinge zone, saidcrease formations including pairs of obtusely angled crease portionswhich are outwardly convex in relation to the longitudinal center lineof said hinge zone and which extend on opposite sides of said centerline and into said respective panels, the respective oppositelyextending parts of said angled crease portions being in generaltransverse alignment and in generally symmetric relation to one anotherabout said center line as an axis, said aligned connecting creaseportions being longitudinally aligned along said center line, and thecenters of the respective crease formations being in approximatealignment with the centers of the cells in the direction transversely ofthe carton whereby said panels are buckled outwardly at said centersadjacent said hinge zone.

5. A cellular carton fabricated of flexible paperboard and characterizedby an article receiving section having opposed upstanding and generallyparallel side walls, a bottom connected to and extending between saidside walls adjacent the bottom thereof, and a plurality of partitionsextending transversely between said side Walls and subdividing theinterior of said section into at least one longitudinally extending rowof cells, said bottom being connected to at least one of said side wallsby pairs of crease formations arranged in a straight line longitudinalsuccession along the zone of connection of said bottom and side wall,the respective formations of each pair of crease formations beingoppositely and outwardly convex in shape, so as to define between therespective formations of each pair a surface disposed at an angle toboth said bottom and side walls, said pairs of crease formations beingin relative close longitudinal order and being aligned transversely ofsaid carton in centered relation with said cells whereby to enable saidside wall to flex to angular relation to said bottom about alongitudinal axis extending medially through said surfaces and said wallbeing bulged transversely outwardly at said cells by said formations.

6. A cellular carton fabricated of flexible paperboard and characterizedby an article receiving section having opposed upstanding and generallyparallel side walls, a bottom connected to and extending between saidside walls adjacent the bottom thereof, and a plurality of partitionsextending transversely between said side walls and subdividing theinterior of said section into at least one longitudinally extending rowof cells, said bottom being connected to at least one of said side wallsby pairs of crease formations arranged in a straight line longitudinalsuccession along the zone of connection of said bottom and side wall,the respective formations of each pair being oppositely and outwardlyconvex in shape and being substantially centered in transverse alignmentwith said cells, so as to define between the respective formations ofeach pair a diamond shaped surface disposed at an angle to both saidbottom and side wall, with the major axes of said surfaces extendinglongitudinally of the carton, said pairs of crease formations being insufliciently close order longitudinally to enable said wall to flex toangular relation to said bottom about an axis extending longitudinallyof the container and medially through said surfaces whereby said wall isbulged transversely outwardly at said cells by said formations.

7. A cellular carton fabricated of flexible paperboard and characterizedby an article receiving section having opposed upstanding and generallyparallel side walls, a bottom connected to and extending between saidside walls adjacent the bottom thereof, and a plurality of partitionsextending transversely between said side walls and subdividing theinterior of said section into at least one longitudinally extending rowof cells, said bottom being connected to at least one of said side wallsby pairs of crease formations arranged in a straight line longitudinalsuccession along the zone of connection of said bottom and side wall,the respective formations of each pair being oppositely and outwardlyconvex in shape and being substantially centered in transverse alignmentwith said cells, so as to define between the respective formations ofeach pair a surface disposed at an angle to both said bottom and sidewall, with the major axes of said surfaces extending longitudinally ofthe carton, said pairs of crease formations being joined by connectingelements in sufficiently close longitudinal order to enable said sidewall to flex to angular relation to said bottom about an axis extendinglongitudinally of the carton and medially through said connectingelements, whereby said wall is bulged transversely outwardly at saidcells by said crease formations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,997,022 Stalker Apr. 9, 1935 2,050,894 Paige Aug. 11, 1936 2,067,998Williamson Jan. 19, 1937 2,389,222 Walsh Nov. 20, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS519,577 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1940

